Many industries generate wastewater that cannot be discharged untreated to sewers or surface water. Examples range from rinsing batch mixing vessels for inks, adhesives and paints to washing airline catering trolleys. Efficient treatment is essential to meet emission limits and minimise environmental impact.
Chemtrade International B.V. specialises in industrial wastewater treatment using chemical processes.
What is wastewater treatment
It cleans wastewater from households and businesses, and often stormwater from paved roads collected through sewers. Biological treatment uses bacteria and microorganisms; physicochemical treatment uses added chemicals. Waste includes organic material, such as garden waste, leaves and food residues, and manufactured chemical substances.
Untreated chemical contaminants can harm the environment, which cannot break down these inorganic substances within a reasonable time.
Each wastewater type has its own pollutant load and needs suitable treatment. The aim is to release contaminants and remove them through filter media. These are often solids, sometimes bound in emulsions, such as pigments or heavy metals including zinc and iron.
How wastewater treatment works
Wastewater can arise continuously or in batches. Continuous streams generally use liquid chemicals, while batch treatment uses formulated powders. Sludge and clean water can also be separated continuously, with a belt filter, or in batches, with a chamber filter press.
Closed recycling systems are another application. In plastic recycling, wash water is reused in a closed circuit, often with partial treatment in a bypass.
Discharged water must meet the applicable limits. Operating costs must be considered in relation to performance. This requires an effective product at the correct dose for the wastewater.
About Chemtrade
We mainly use physicochemical treatment, employing a formulated powder where possible. One product combines coagulation, absorption, pH control and flocculation. Adjusting the formulation provides solutions for many streams and simplifies the operator’s work.
Alongside chemicals, we supply automatic and semi-automatic wastewater treatment systems.
